The first and only double header of the year ended with two more games in the win column for Greenville Oaks. With a blistering hot afternoon, Greenville came into the games knowing that they would not have any substitutes due to a vast disabled list. With the game time temperature of 104 degrees, Greenville was able to defeat Mosaic by an 11 - 10 score. In the second matchup, Greenville had to switch fields, but apparently the bats enjoyed warming up in the first game as they jumped out to a 6 - 0 lead and continued hitting their way to a 16 - 1 victory. The wins push Greenville to 4 - 2 on the season.
There were many storylines on the night. The heat was definitely one of them. It was so hot that David Strickland's jersy got soaked with sweat, and he wasn't even at the game. Hydration was definitely a key for the bats to keep working.
Game 1 with Mosaic started poorly as Greenville had to overcome a 5 run deficit in the first inning. (Nelson Cruz just hit a two run homer in the 14th inning as I write this...that excites me...I am going to need just a moment...ok, I'm back)The defense faltered as we had to start the game with 9 players for the first inning due to traffic on 75. Kurt Wasemiller, making his first start of Summer season, made it in time for the second inning. It worked, because in the bottom of the first, Greenville answered with 5 runs of their own.
The defense held on as Greenville would add 6 more runs to make it 11 to 7 going into the top of the 6th innning. Mosaic would add 3 runs due to some defensive mistakes in that inning, but they fell just short to end the game.
It was a new look for Greenville as we had several regulars missing the game due to various reasons that will not be discussed. (Neftali Feliz just finished off the Tigers to get the win...Greatest night ever? possibly)
John Garrett and Kurt Wasemiller made their first appearances of the Summer playing Right Center field and 3rd base respectively. Wasemiller is coming off a 60 day disabled list stint due to a lingering high ankle sprain. John is coming of a 60 day d. l. stint as well, as he continues to nurse a sore wrist.
Rookie Matt Wacaster made his first start in left field, and Michael Shivers made his first start at Short Stop. The first game took about an inning for everyone to get used to the new look, but after that inning, the team settled down and only allowed six more runs through the next 9 innings.
Game two was agains Creekwood UMC, and it got ugly early in a good way. This time batting as the visiting team, Greenville jumped out to a 6 - 0 lead in the first. Creekwood would respond with 1 run in the bottom of the inning, but that was it for the rest of the night. Greenville would go on to score 9 more runs in the next 3 innings, and the game was called after 4 innings due to the run rule. 15 - 1 was the final.
The offense had the best night of it's year. As much as I hate to do this, I am going to have to name Bryan Brokaw as the offensive player of the night. Filling in at the lead off spot for Strickland, Brokaw went 6 for 7 through two games with two homeruns. Dustin Swart added his own flashes of brilliance as he stole his second base of the season to set a single season stolen base record.
Defensive player of the night was Brian Edwards as he was diving all over the field. His hustle alone was worthy of the honor.
Michael Shivers and Randy Way both suffered groin injuries, but they fought through the pain to finish out two solid games for both.
Matt Wacaster added a homerun in the first game, as every run would prove very important, and Curtis Damour had a slump compared to his usual games, but he still reached base 3 times on three singles.
Mike Mabry made his second appearance at second base, and he added some flashes of brilliance with the glove.
Game 7 will take place next Monday night at 8:30, as Greenville gets set to take on Suncreek for the second time this season. The last game ended with Greenville on top, 8 - 3.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Greenville Oaks Fights Back to .500 at Season's Midpoint
Greenville Oaks is one team that is thankful that the month of June is over. Game four of the grueling Summer softball season commenced on Monday night, and Greenville Oaks started the month of July with a 12 - 5 victory over a slumping COMD.
The game featured a fairly boring, but effective, station to station offense. The play of the game took place when Brian Edwards' mustache worked a bases loaded walk that brought in one of the five runs in Greenville's half of the 5th inning. It was the fifth inning that really broke the game open as it put Greenville Oaks up 10 - 5, and the way Brokaw was dealing in the ladder innings, a comeback for COMD was unlikely.
When asked about the walk, Edwards' mustache boasted, "those pitches actually started out as strikes, but on their way down, they got scared and they missed the strikezone when they saw me."
Mike Mabry also had a mustache that made its debut on Monday night. It proved to be too much for COMD to overcome. I have some pictures of the rookie and I will make sure to post them later in the week.
Although it looked as though the game may be another bad one for the Greenville Oaks offense throught the first 3 innings scoring only 2 runs, but Curtis Damour started off a 3 run inning with a triple in the top of the 4th. That got the bats going as Greenville put up 10 runs in the final 3 innings.
It was another stellar defensive effort for Greenville, as they only gave up 5 runs in six innings. Randy Way continued to exert a lot of energy chasing foul balls as the catcher and catching none of them. However, Way's hustle has paid off, as Way recently was named a defensive all star in the Church D league and he won a brand new 2010 Chevrolet Truck. Congratulations to Randy on his selection to the all-star game last week.
Heading into the second half of the season, there has been quite a bit of speculation as to whether or not Greenville will be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. With the team sitting at .500, it is hard to say, but it will be difficult for the team to be buying since they have all but depleted the farm system. However, there has been talk about restocking that farm system by trading away established Church D Leaguers such as Curtis Damour, or experienced pitcher, outfielder, and 3rd baseman Shane Spencer. However, that is highly unlikely as those two players are much too important to the future of the franchise. The General Manager, Michael Shivers, has made it clear that his number one target is negotiating with Christ the Servant to bring Tall Dr. Kellum to the team for the fall season.
When asked about about restocking the farm system, Shivers noted that most of the members and wives of the team are doing their part to restock the farm system, with a wave of new players expected to arrive in about 18 years.
Next Monday night will bring another test, as Greenville will not only play its first double header of the season, but it will also be without their starting Short Stop David Strickland, and their starting left fielder, Clay Platt. Veteren infielder Dustin Swart, looking for his first homerun of the season will look to pick up the slack, as well as emerging rookie Matt Wacaster. The first game is set for 6:30.
The game featured a fairly boring, but effective, station to station offense. The play of the game took place when Brian Edwards' mustache worked a bases loaded walk that brought in one of the five runs in Greenville's half of the 5th inning. It was the fifth inning that really broke the game open as it put Greenville Oaks up 10 - 5, and the way Brokaw was dealing in the ladder innings, a comeback for COMD was unlikely.
When asked about the walk, Edwards' mustache boasted, "those pitches actually started out as strikes, but on their way down, they got scared and they missed the strikezone when they saw me."
Mike Mabry also had a mustache that made its debut on Monday night. It proved to be too much for COMD to overcome. I have some pictures of the rookie and I will make sure to post them later in the week.
Although it looked as though the game may be another bad one for the Greenville Oaks offense throught the first 3 innings scoring only 2 runs, but Curtis Damour started off a 3 run inning with a triple in the top of the 4th. That got the bats going as Greenville put up 10 runs in the final 3 innings.
It was another stellar defensive effort for Greenville, as they only gave up 5 runs in six innings. Randy Way continued to exert a lot of energy chasing foul balls as the catcher and catching none of them. However, Way's hustle has paid off, as Way recently was named a defensive all star in the Church D league and he won a brand new 2010 Chevrolet Truck. Congratulations to Randy on his selection to the all-star game last week.
Heading into the second half of the season, there has been quite a bit of speculation as to whether or not Greenville will be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. With the team sitting at .500, it is hard to say, but it will be difficult for the team to be buying since they have all but depleted the farm system. However, there has been talk about restocking that farm system by trading away established Church D Leaguers such as Curtis Damour, or experienced pitcher, outfielder, and 3rd baseman Shane Spencer. However, that is highly unlikely as those two players are much too important to the future of the franchise. The General Manager, Michael Shivers, has made it clear that his number one target is negotiating with Christ the Servant to bring Tall Dr. Kellum to the team for the fall season.
When asked about about restocking the farm system, Shivers noted that most of the members and wives of the team are doing their part to restock the farm system, with a wave of new players expected to arrive in about 18 years.
Next Monday night will bring another test, as Greenville will not only play its first double header of the season, but it will also be without their starting Short Stop David Strickland, and their starting left fielder, Clay Platt. Veteren infielder Dustin Swart, looking for his first homerun of the season will look to pick up the slack, as well as emerging rookie Matt Wacaster. The first game is set for 6:30.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Revenge Must Wait...The Chase Oakies Win Again
The much anticipated rematch from last Spring's playoffs finally came to pass on Monday night. The Result: Shorter game and the same team won. After playing in an unforgettable 10 inning marathon that lasted 2 weeks last season, Monday night's game was very forgettable. The game showed flashes of some great defense and not a lot of offense, but in the end Chase Oaks prevailed 8 to 5 over Greenville Oaks.
Fallout from last week's one run heartbreaker resulted in the resignation of the coach and the Second Baseman. This week, both men were back in the lineup after being reinstated by the eldership.
I have to be honest, 9:30 games are pretty tough to write for. I am going to bed, but please stay tuned next Monday for a riveting pregame preview for the match-up between Greenville Oaks and the RCN Stars at 7:30. Until next time, So long everybody.
Fallout from last week's one run heartbreaker resulted in the resignation of the coach and the Second Baseman. This week, both men were back in the lineup after being reinstated by the eldership.
I have to be honest, 9:30 games are pretty tough to write for. I am going to bed, but please stay tuned next Monday for a riveting pregame preview for the match-up between Greenville Oaks and the RCN Stars at 7:30. Until next time, So long everybody.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Breaking News...Shake up at the Top for Greenville Oaks!
The following official statements have been released from the Greenville Oaks Franchise Ownership.
From the Desk of General Manager Michael Shivers:
I write this letter with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart. Given the events of this evenings game and after much deliberation on my part I hearby tender my resignation as second baseman for the Greenville Oaks softball team. My actions in the last inning of the game tonight were inexcusable, embarassing, and single handily cost us the game that we so obviously had locked up. I can't bear the shame. My family and I appreciate the kind phone calls, flowers, cards, letters, and well wishes but we feel that this decision is what's best for the team and the Greenville Oaks Church.
After much thought, prayer, deliberation, and lengthy discussions with my family I have decided to stay on as General Manager of the team and continue to seek out more potential prospects like Curtis. I think we have a great farm system and if we can keep turning out players like him we could have a great future in the Allen Recreation Church D League.
Please accept my sincere apologies and I can only hope to recieve your forgiveness one day. I know forgiveness does not come easy. It will take time and it will have to be earned.
Eternally sorry.
-Shivers.
This truly sends shockwaves throughout Greenville Oaks Nation, as Shivers was in the running for General Manager of the year. The second release that follows comes as less of a surprise.
From the desk of Team Manager, Team President, and Owner of the Greenville Oaks Young Married Mens' Softball Franchise:
It is with a heavy heart that I must tender my resignation to the Board of Directors and elders of Greenville Oaks Church of Christ. There is one person on the softball field that should know the rules, and that is the coach. I realize that my lack of knowledge cost the team a victory this evening, and this team's fans, players, and ownership deserve someone more qualified at the helm.
I made an error in judgement, and the one thing a coach cannot do is react with emotions intsead of thinking through the situation. I am deeply sorry for this error, and I wish the franchise the best as they move forward to greater things.
There is no word yet on whether or not the eldership will accept these resignations. One elder who attended the game did not return phone calls.
One player, Brian Edwards, did have this to say after the announcement:
In mourning, I have shaved my mustache. We did not go quietly tonight.....we faught like seals up against the greatest of great white sharks....and then we were eaten. But we will rise from the belly of the beast........that's how we do it at greenville oaks
It is rumored that Levi Carlson will be named the interim coach.
If you missed the game, please see the full recap in the story below.
From the Desk of General Manager Michael Shivers:
I write this letter with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart. Given the events of this evenings game and after much deliberation on my part I hearby tender my resignation as second baseman for the Greenville Oaks softball team. My actions in the last inning of the game tonight were inexcusable, embarassing, and single handily cost us the game that we so obviously had locked up. I can't bear the shame. My family and I appreciate the kind phone calls, flowers, cards, letters, and well wishes but we feel that this decision is what's best for the team and the Greenville Oaks Church.
After much thought, prayer, deliberation, and lengthy discussions with my family I have decided to stay on as General Manager of the team and continue to seek out more potential prospects like Curtis. I think we have a great farm system and if we can keep turning out players like him we could have a great future in the Allen Recreation Church D League.
Please accept my sincere apologies and I can only hope to recieve your forgiveness one day. I know forgiveness does not come easy. It will take time and it will have to be earned.
Eternally sorry.
-Shivers.
This truly sends shockwaves throughout Greenville Oaks Nation, as Shivers was in the running for General Manager of the year. The second release that follows comes as less of a surprise.
From the desk of Team Manager, Team President, and Owner of the Greenville Oaks Young Married Mens' Softball Franchise:
It is with a heavy heart that I must tender my resignation to the Board of Directors and elders of Greenville Oaks Church of Christ. There is one person on the softball field that should know the rules, and that is the coach. I realize that my lack of knowledge cost the team a victory this evening, and this team's fans, players, and ownership deserve someone more qualified at the helm.
I made an error in judgement, and the one thing a coach cannot do is react with emotions intsead of thinking through the situation. I am deeply sorry for this error, and I wish the franchise the best as they move forward to greater things.
There is no word yet on whether or not the eldership will accept these resignations. One elder who attended the game did not return phone calls.
One player, Brian Edwards, did have this to say after the announcement:
In mourning, I have shaved my mustache. We did not go quietly tonight.....we faught like seals up against the greatest of great white sharks....and then we were eaten. But we will rise from the belly of the beast........that's how we do it at greenville oaks
It is rumored that Levi Carlson will be named the interim coach.
If you missed the game, please see the full recap in the story below.
Greenville Grabs a Fist Full of Defeat
The scoreboard will read The Harvest 12...Greenville Oaks 11, but the score will not tell you anything about what transpired on the evening of June 14th. Greenville's first loss of the season will be remembered by fans for years to come, and unfortunately the fallout from the game will most likely be tremendous.
The game started out looking much like last weeks defensive gem as Greenville held The Harvest to a three up, three down first inning. But this was no ordinary Harvest. This was a bountiful harvest with many baseball pants. In fact, if you were keeping score at home on the number of pairs of baseball pants per team, the score would read...
The Harvest = 10....Greenville Oaks = 0
It appeared during the pregame stretch that The Harvest should have won without much effort, but the Greenville defense showed up once again. Runs were hard to come by for both teams in the early going. In the second inning, The Harvest did add a run to go up 1 - 0. In the third inning, they added two more to make the score 3 - 0, but Greenville stormed back with 2 runs in the bottom half of the third to make it a respectable 3 - 2. The fourth inning went cold for both teams as their were no runs scored by either team.
The fireworks started in the fifth. The Harvest made a run at pulling away as they added a run in the top of the fifth to make it 4 to 2, but with two outs in the bottom of the inning, Brian Edwards got the party started with a single. David Strickland followed with a two out single to put runners on first and second with free agent pickup of the year Curtis Damour coming to the plate. Damour promptly hit the first pitch he saw into the right field bleachers for the team's first legit homerun in two seasons. That made the score 5 to 4 in favor of Greenville Oaks, and once again the team had life.
It was short lived, however, as The Harvest added 4 runs in the top of the sixth with 3 of the runs being unearned in a defensive meltdown that the fans of this summer season were not used to. That made the score 8 to 5, and Greenville could only muster one run to answer as Shane Collins, making his season debut, knocked in Shane Spencer, who was also making his season debut.
The defense for Greenville really became rattled in the seventh inning, as they gave up 4 more runs in the top half to make the score 12 to 6. Hope seemed all but lost for the Greenville Oaks squad, but new free agent Matt Wacaster had something to say about that. Leading off the bottom of the seventh, the tall, left handed rookie ripped a single past the first baseman to give Greenville a leadoff single. Brokaw followed up with a single into left to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Blake Wattenburger followed with a single of his own to give Greenville bases loaded with no outs. After Edwards popped out for the first out of the inning, Dave Strickland ripped a single into left which scored two runs to make the score 12 - 8. Damour came up and ripped a double into left which plated Wattenburger, and moved Strickland to third. This made the score 12 to 9 with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out. This brought Shivers to the plate, and he knocked a single which scored a run and moved Strickland to Third. Dustin Swart came to the plate, and he also got a hit whiched knocked in Strickland and made the score 12 to 11 with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.
At this moment the game changed. In a decision that will haunt the team forever, Coach Brokaw decided to make a coaching change at the 3rd base coach position. Mabry had been holding that spot, but his turn in the order was coming up so Coach Brokaw decided to take the coaching duties at third and send Mike to the on deck circle. Spencer came to the plate and he hit a solid grounder to the middle of the infield. The Harvest was able to get the force out at second, and Shivers advanced to third. Shivers, however, believed that force out to be the third out of the inning so he made his way around third and was on his way to the parking lot. In an inexplicable act of rules ignorance, the acting coach, Bryan Brokaw grabbed a fist full of Shivers' jersey and pulled him back towards third base before they could make the throw to get him out. Shivers made it back to the back in plenty of time, but he was called out on coach's interference as everyone and their dog knows that the base coaches cannot come into contact with their players at anytime or else the runner will be called out. This gave The Harvest a game winning double play to end the game on a Coach's interference call.
The Result: The Harvest 12...Greenville Oaks 11.
Or one could look at it as....
The Harvest- 2 - 0 on the season
Greenville Oaks 1 - 0 on the season
Coach Brokaw 0 - 1 on the season
The fallout from this game will probably linger through the rest of this week. Stay tuned for updates, as many rumors are swirling about some possible shake ups in the upper management of the franchise.
As of now though, The same Greenville team has a game next Monday night at 9:30 against their nemisis Chase Oaks. Get your popcorn ready.
Other notes...
Clay Platt went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and an outfield assist on his rehab assignment in Austin. The team expects him back for next weeks game.
The game started out looking much like last weeks defensive gem as Greenville held The Harvest to a three up, three down first inning. But this was no ordinary Harvest. This was a bountiful harvest with many baseball pants. In fact, if you were keeping score at home on the number of pairs of baseball pants per team, the score would read...
The Harvest = 10....Greenville Oaks = 0
It appeared during the pregame stretch that The Harvest should have won without much effort, but the Greenville defense showed up once again. Runs were hard to come by for both teams in the early going. In the second inning, The Harvest did add a run to go up 1 - 0. In the third inning, they added two more to make the score 3 - 0, but Greenville stormed back with 2 runs in the bottom half of the third to make it a respectable 3 - 2. The fourth inning went cold for both teams as their were no runs scored by either team.
The fireworks started in the fifth. The Harvest made a run at pulling away as they added a run in the top of the fifth to make it 4 to 2, but with two outs in the bottom of the inning, Brian Edwards got the party started with a single. David Strickland followed with a two out single to put runners on first and second with free agent pickup of the year Curtis Damour coming to the plate. Damour promptly hit the first pitch he saw into the right field bleachers for the team's first legit homerun in two seasons. That made the score 5 to 4 in favor of Greenville Oaks, and once again the team had life.
It was short lived, however, as The Harvest added 4 runs in the top of the sixth with 3 of the runs being unearned in a defensive meltdown that the fans of this summer season were not used to. That made the score 8 to 5, and Greenville could only muster one run to answer as Shane Collins, making his season debut, knocked in Shane Spencer, who was also making his season debut.
The defense for Greenville really became rattled in the seventh inning, as they gave up 4 more runs in the top half to make the score 12 to 6. Hope seemed all but lost for the Greenville Oaks squad, but new free agent Matt Wacaster had something to say about that. Leading off the bottom of the seventh, the tall, left handed rookie ripped a single past the first baseman to give Greenville a leadoff single. Brokaw followed up with a single into left to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Blake Wattenburger followed with a single of his own to give Greenville bases loaded with no outs. After Edwards popped out for the first out of the inning, Dave Strickland ripped a single into left which scored two runs to make the score 12 - 8. Damour came up and ripped a double into left which plated Wattenburger, and moved Strickland to third. This made the score 12 to 9 with runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out. This brought Shivers to the plate, and he knocked a single which scored a run and moved Strickland to Third. Dustin Swart came to the plate, and he also got a hit whiched knocked in Strickland and made the score 12 to 11 with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.
At this moment the game changed. In a decision that will haunt the team forever, Coach Brokaw decided to make a coaching change at the 3rd base coach position. Mabry had been holding that spot, but his turn in the order was coming up so Coach Brokaw decided to take the coaching duties at third and send Mike to the on deck circle. Spencer came to the plate and he hit a solid grounder to the middle of the infield. The Harvest was able to get the force out at second, and Shivers advanced to third. Shivers, however, believed that force out to be the third out of the inning so he made his way around third and was on his way to the parking lot. In an inexplicable act of rules ignorance, the acting coach, Bryan Brokaw grabbed a fist full of Shivers' jersey and pulled him back towards third base before they could make the throw to get him out. Shivers made it back to the back in plenty of time, but he was called out on coach's interference as everyone and their dog knows that the base coaches cannot come into contact with their players at anytime or else the runner will be called out. This gave The Harvest a game winning double play to end the game on a Coach's interference call.
The Result: The Harvest 12...Greenville Oaks 11.
Or one could look at it as....
The Harvest- 2 - 0 on the season
Greenville Oaks 1 - 0 on the season
Coach Brokaw 0 - 1 on the season
The fallout from this game will probably linger through the rest of this week. Stay tuned for updates, as many rumors are swirling about some possible shake ups in the upper management of the franchise.
As of now though, The same Greenville team has a game next Monday night at 9:30 against their nemisis Chase Oaks. Get your popcorn ready.
Other notes...
Clay Platt went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and an outfield assist on his rehab assignment in Austin. The team expects him back for next weeks game.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Defense Sizzles in the Heat...GO Starts Summer Ball Undefeated!
It has been said that defense wins championships, and if that is the case, the Greenville Oaks Mens' softball team has made an early statement. The team turned 3 double plays in the game to set a new franchise record for double plays in a seven inning game. They led the team to a tidy 8 to 3 victory over Suncreek, to start the season 1 - 0.
The first double play came courtesy of the two middle infielders David Strickland and Michael Shivers on a classic 6 -4 - 3. The middle infielders were put to the test early and often in this game, and they did not disappoint, although their shirts after the game clearly showed that they had quite the workout.
The next double play came on a fly out to the left center fielder Curtis Damor, who was a late free agent pick up for the team in the offseason. After catching a lazy fly ball, Damor, with the help of some poor base running by Suncreek, threw to first base to double up the runner trying to get back. General Manager Michael Shivers had some nifty maneuvering in the offseason, as he was able to sign Curtis on a short budget. "It is always exciting when we can go out into the free agent market and find talent like Curtis," Shivers added after the game.
The third and final double play of the evening came on a sharp grounder to the pitcher, Bryan Brokaw, who quickly threw to Strickland at 2nd an on to 1st for the 1 - 6 - 3 double play. That play marked the franchise record.
The one common denominator in the trio of double plays was the first baseman Dustin Swart. Underappreciated? Maybe, but his efforts were equally important. First basemen are usually only noticed when they drop it, and that is not something the team had to worry about all night.
Although Blake Wattenburger did not catch the double play fever, he was responsible for 4 outs over at third base, three of witch were scorching line drives that he managed to haul in with catlike reflexes. His offseason hockey workouts are really paying off so far.
The benefactor of all of the defense was the man on the mound Bryan Brokaw. The quality the defense displayed gave Brokaw a complete game quality start as he went 7 innings and only allowed 3 runs. He also managed one strikeout and no walks.
Randy Way almost had a really nice play on a foul ball at catcher, but he missed it.
Mike Mabry filled in very nicely at left field in place of Clay Platt, who is currently on a 2 week rehab assignment in Austin. Interestingly enough, I don't believe a single ball was hit to Mabry all night. That is a perfect fielding percentage for the season so far.
The story on offense was the bottom half of the batting order. Although the hits were not homeruns, James Manley, Randy Way, Brian Edwards, and Curtis Damor combined for seven hits and a sacrifice. They in large part were responsible for half of the runs scored by Greenville, which proved to be all the team needed on a night where defense was king.
Greenville will look to add to their win total next Monday night, as they get set to host the Harvest Thunder. There may be more baseball pants in the other dugout next Monday night than you would see in the Texas Rangers dugout. Some of them even have pants with stripes. It could prove to be a tough test for Greenville Oaks. Make plans to come out at 8:30 to see the show.
The first double play came courtesy of the two middle infielders David Strickland and Michael Shivers on a classic 6 -4 - 3. The middle infielders were put to the test early and often in this game, and they did not disappoint, although their shirts after the game clearly showed that they had quite the workout.
The next double play came on a fly out to the left center fielder Curtis Damor, who was a late free agent pick up for the team in the offseason. After catching a lazy fly ball, Damor, with the help of some poor base running by Suncreek, threw to first base to double up the runner trying to get back. General Manager Michael Shivers had some nifty maneuvering in the offseason, as he was able to sign Curtis on a short budget. "It is always exciting when we can go out into the free agent market and find talent like Curtis," Shivers added after the game.
The third and final double play of the evening came on a sharp grounder to the pitcher, Bryan Brokaw, who quickly threw to Strickland at 2nd an on to 1st for the 1 - 6 - 3 double play. That play marked the franchise record.
The one common denominator in the trio of double plays was the first baseman Dustin Swart. Underappreciated? Maybe, but his efforts were equally important. First basemen are usually only noticed when they drop it, and that is not something the team had to worry about all night.
Although Blake Wattenburger did not catch the double play fever, he was responsible for 4 outs over at third base, three of witch were scorching line drives that he managed to haul in with catlike reflexes. His offseason hockey workouts are really paying off so far.
The benefactor of all of the defense was the man on the mound Bryan Brokaw. The quality the defense displayed gave Brokaw a complete game quality start as he went 7 innings and only allowed 3 runs. He also managed one strikeout and no walks.
Randy Way almost had a really nice play on a foul ball at catcher, but he missed it.
Mike Mabry filled in very nicely at left field in place of Clay Platt, who is currently on a 2 week rehab assignment in Austin. Interestingly enough, I don't believe a single ball was hit to Mabry all night. That is a perfect fielding percentage for the season so far.
The story on offense was the bottom half of the batting order. Although the hits were not homeruns, James Manley, Randy Way, Brian Edwards, and Curtis Damor combined for seven hits and a sacrifice. They in large part were responsible for half of the runs scored by Greenville, which proved to be all the team needed on a night where defense was king.
Greenville will look to add to their win total next Monday night, as they get set to host the Harvest Thunder. There may be more baseball pants in the other dugout next Monday night than you would see in the Texas Rangers dugout. Some of them even have pants with stripes. It could prove to be a tough test for Greenville Oaks. Make plans to come out at 8:30 to see the show.
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